2010 Winners announced - Day Two

Opening its doors to over 1,500 visitors is the biggest gathering of the global architectural community - the World Architecture Festival, just a few minutes outside Barcelona city centre at the Centre Convencions International Barcelona (CCIB), started yesterday 3rd to 5th November 2010. The festival, now in its third year, celebrates the work, concerns and aspirations of international architects.

Running alongside the main seminars is the world's largest architectural awards programme - the World Architecture Festival Awards. Unlike other award schemes the WAF Awards give access to something more often reserved for a select few - to see shortlisted architects present their schemes live to international judging panels, as they compete for the ultimate accolade of World Building of the Year 2010. Arata Isozaki is chair of the super-jury which will choose the winner from 15 finalists announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the end of the festival on Friday November 5th.

Speaking at the WAF Awards 2010 Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director, said: “World Architecture Festival brings international architecture to the forefront, against the backdrop of Barcelona’s breathtaking architecture. Yet again we received a huge response to the fiercely contested WAF Awards, with over 500 entries from 61 different countries. The geographical range and quality of this year’s designs were exceptionally high, with a great deal of entries from “new” economies, both by local architects and international practices. Our congratulations go to the winners for a project that is truly exceptional.”

The WAF Awards see unsung local buildings take on internationally acclaimed projects in what is the world’s biggest architecture contest. Unlike other architectural competitions, architects present their work in front of leading industry judges and a live public audience as they compete for the accolade of ‘World Building of the Year’. This is the 3rd year the World Architecture Festival Awards have been presented. Previous winners include ‘World Building of the Year 2008’ - Luigi Bocconi University, Milan, designed by Irish practice Grafton Architects and ‘World Building of the Year 2009’ - Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in South Africa, designed by Peter Rich Architects of Johannesburg.

You will find below the winners of Day Two including a brief description of each project.